Honoring Excellence: HEC Paris Foundation Recognizes Groundbreaking Research at Annual Awards Ceremony
On Monday, March 10, 2025, HEC Paris reaffirmed its commitment to curiosity and excellence by celebrating the outstanding contributions of its faculty and doctoral students in research. Five awards were presented, recognizing the significant impact of academic work that pushes the boundaries of knowledge and influences business, policy, and society.
A Commitment to Research and Pedagogy
The HEC Foundation plays a crucial role in fostering academic excellence by supporting groundbreaking research and innovative teaching methods. With the generous backing of donors and corporate sponsors, HEC Paris continues to encourage the production of impactful knowledge and its dissemination to the broader academic and business communities.
These awards highlight the mission of HEC Paris in two fundamental areas:
- Research: Advancing the frontiers of knowledge through rigorous academic inquiry.
- Pedagogy: Enhancing teaching methods and learning experiences through innovation.
Let’s take a closer look at this year’s award recipients and their contributions to academia and industry.
Madhulika Kaul – PhD Thesis Award
Dr. Madhulika Kaul (D.23) was honored for her doctoral thesis, Essays on Digital Platforms as Private Regulators. Her research examines how digital platforms function as private regulators, shaping the online landscape through their rule-making and enforcement mechanisms. In a time of critical debates on platform regulation, data privacy, and ethical AI, her work offers a timely framework for understanding the interactions between platforms, users, regulators, and social movements.
The Jury’s Statement: Madhulika Kaul’s dissertation provides a timely and insightful analysis of digital platforms as private regulators. Her work highlights the immense influence platforms exert and the challenges of self-regulation, making it a crucial contribution to the field of digital governance.
Read the full thesis abstract here.
Antonin Bergeaud – Researcher Award
Professor Antonin Bergeaud was recognized for his extensive work in economic growth and innovation. His research explores the determinants of long-term economic growth, the role of innovation in productivity, and the impact of regulatory policies on technological advancements. His publications provide valuable insights into the drivers of innovation and Europe’s technological competitiveness.
The Jury’s Statement: Antonin Bergeaud’s research bridges historical economic trends with contemporary challenges, shedding light on how innovation policies influence economic performance. His rigorous analyses offer crucial perspectives for both academics and policymakers.
Learn more about his research.
Bruno Roux de Bézieux Prize for Educational Initiative
Professors Marieke Huysentruyt, Romain Briat, and Daria Mieszkielo (H.20) were awarded for their creation of the Ethics & Sustainability Lab Studio Series. This initiative bridges the gap between sustainability challenges and managerial decision-making, fostering student engagement in ethical and sustainability-related discussions through experiential learning.
The Jury’s Statement: This innovative pedagogical approach blends theory and practice, equipping students with the tools to foster constructive dialogue on sustainability within organizations. The Ethics & Sustainability Lab is a model for immersive, real-world learning experiences.
Sihem Ben Mahmoud-Jouini, Romaric Servajean-Hilst & Jonathan Langlois – Academic Article Award
The award-winning article, Practicing Secrecy in Open Innovation – The Case of a Military Firm, tackles the paradox of openness in innovation. Their study investigates how organizations can balance collaboration and confidentiality, particularly in highly sensitive industries like defense.
The Jury’s Statement: This research provides a nuanced understanding of how firms manage secrecy while leveraging open innovation. Its relevance extends across industries, offering concrete strategies for innovation management.
Stefano Lovo & Yurii Handziuk – Faculty Impact Award
Professors Stefano Lovo and Yurii Handziuk were recognized for their Field Experiment and Online Survey at the HEC Canteen, which examined the impact of different policies—bans, taxes, and information campaigns—on consumer choices in reducing carbon emissions. Their findings demonstrate that a bonus-malus pricing system effectively reduces emissions while maintaining consumer satisfaction.
The Jury’s Statement: As the world grapples with climate change, this study provides actionable insights into consumer behavior and sustainable policy implementation. The research underscores the power of economic incentives in shaping environmentally responsible choices.
Recognizing the Power of Research
These awards reflect the ongoing commitment of HEC Paris to fostering research that not only advances academic knowledge but also provides real-world impact. Thanks to the generosity of donors and corporate sponsors, HEC Paris continues to support groundbreaking research that shapes the future of business, policy, and society.